Australia will not let goal-scoring chances go begging again in Wednesday’s decisive second leg of their World Cup playoff against Honduras, striker Tomi Juric has said.

The Socceroos held Honduras to a 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula on Friday but wasted a number of chances to secure a precious away goal and bring the advantage to the return match in Sydney.

Juric had the best of them when he sprinted clear of the Honduras defence in the first half but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, rolled his shot wide.

“Unfortunately we had a few chances, myself included, that we didn’t capitalise on,” Juric said.

“It was a bit disappointing in that regard, but come this game on Wednesday, we’ll be fully prepared and we’ll take our chances this time.

“The table’s going to turn completely the other way around … it’s up to them (Honduras) to really step up this time.
“I have a great feeling about this game … that any chances we have, we’re going to make the most of them this time.”
Australia have spared no expense in giving their players the best chance of qualifying for next year’s finals in Russia, bringing their players home as early as possible on a chartered plane kitted out with high-tech recovery equipment.

The Hondurans will arrive later on a commercial jet and will have less time to acclimatise before the match at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium.

Australia will also have the luxury of fresh legs, with Mathew Leckie and midfielder Mark Milligan available after missing the first leg due to suspension.

Much of Australian media have dismissed Honduras’s chances in Sydney after they were largely outplayed at home but Socceroos defender Josh Risdon struck a note of caution.

“We’ve still got a job to do,” the Western Sydney Wanderer said.

“I think (we’re) just focusing on that and the boys are pretty confident we can get the job done.”